It is news that might have pleased George Formby if not musical traditionalists: the popularity of the ukulele is on the rise while schoolchildren’s interest in more sophisticated instruments is waning.

Experts have issued a warning about the future composition of orchestras after a survey indicated that several instruments were “endangered”.

The French horn, double bass and trombone were the least popular instruments among pupils, while the ukulele was desired by one in eight.

James Williams, managing director of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO), said that the music education sector needed to work harder at promoting orchestral instruments. “We are not suggesting that we have to rewrite Beethoven or that we have to rewrite Mahler to incorporate a 70-piece ukulele orchestra,” Mr Williams said. “But